Meanings of 聖
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Podcast: 聖
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AI Study Notes for 聖
聖 (shèng) vs 神 (shén) — use 聖 for holy or sacred contexts, while 神 refers to gods or deities.
When using 聖, be mindful of its register; it is typically more formal and may not be used in casual conversations. Common collocations include '聖人' (shèngrén - sage) and '聖經' (shèngjīng - Bible). Tone errors can occur, as mispronouncing the fourth tone can change the meaning.
This character is not included in the HSK levels, but it connects to higher-level vocabulary related to culture and philosophy, such as '智慧' (zhìhuì - wisdom) and '道德' (dàodé - morality). Focus on its implications in religious contexts and its use in classical texts.
Learners often confuse 聖 (shèng) with the similar sounding 生 (shēng), which means 'life' or 'birth'. For example, saying '生人' (shēngrén) when meaning 'sage' is incorrect; it should be '聖人' (shèngrén).
Pronunciation of 聖
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Etymology of 聖
Simplified form of 聖. Phonosemantic compound. 耳 represents the meaning and 呈 represents the sound.
A ruler 王 who speaks 口 and listens 耳
Origin
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Decomposition of 聖
Parts
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How to say holy, sacred; sage, saint in Chinese
“holy, sacred; sage, saint” in Chinese is聖
The character 聖 (shèng) means 'holy' or 'sacred' and is often used to describe something that is revered or has spiritual significance. It can also refer to a 'sage' or 'saint', indicating a person of great wisdom or virtue. This term is frequently used in religious and philosophical contexts.
When to use 聖
When using 聖, be mindful of its register; it is typically more formal and may not be used in casual conversations. Common collocations include '聖人' (shèngrén - sage) and '聖經' (shèngjīng - Bible). Tone errors can occur, as mispronouncing the fourth tone can change the meaning.
聖 or something close to it
聖 (shèng) vs 神 (shén) — use 聖 for holy or sacred contexts, while 神 refers to gods or deities.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 聖 (shèng) with the similar sounding 生 (shēng), which means 'life' or 'birth'. For example, saying '生人' (shēngrén) when meaning 'sage' is incorrect; it should be '聖人' (shèngrén).
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Word Family of 聖
Words with 聖
What does 圣诞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 聖
In a religious context, 聖 refers to something that is sacred or holy, often linked to teachings, texts, or figures that embody spiritual significance.
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